Following a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech to begin ACC play, the UNC women's basketball program aims to get back on track quickly as they take on the Florida Gators in the third annual Jumpman Classic in Charlotte, North Carolina on Wednesday night.
While the Tar Heels are looking to bounce back, Florida is aiming to keep it's winning streak alive. After losing four of their first seven games, including four consecutive contests, the Gators have bounced back nicely, winning each of their last four games. Those games haven't been close, as the closest margin of victory during the streak is 13 points (at Clemson on December 5).
Can the Tar Heels figure out a way to control the Gators and get back in the win column?
2024-2025 Season
No. 19 North Carolina Tar Heels
Overall Record: 10-2
Conference Record: 0-1
Home Record: 6-1
Away Record: 1-0
Neutral Site Record: 3-1
Florida Gators
Overall Record: 7-4
Conference Record: 0-0
Home Record: 6-1
Away Record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 0-2
Key Players (with 2024-2025 stats)
North Carolina
Alyssa Ustby (Gr. Forward)- 10.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists
Indya Nivar (Jr. Guard)- 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists
Maria Gakdeng (Sr. Forward)- 9.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks
Lexi Donarski (Gr. Guard)- 9.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Florida
Ra Shaya Kyle (Sr. Center)- 16.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Liv McGill (Fr. Guard)- 16.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists
Jeriah Warren (Sr. Guard)- 14.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists
History
It's been a while since these two teams have played against each other, as the last matchup came back on November 23, 1997. In four meetings between North Carolina and Florida (all of which were played at neutral sites), the Tar Heels hold a 3-1 series lead.
Keys to Victory for North Carolina
Slowing down Ra Shaya Kyle is going to be the key, and quite frankly, it's a very tough task.
The fifth-year senior has been an absolute force in the post for the Gators, as she's currently has posted a double-double in four consecutive games.
It's interesting to note that Florida is 6-1 in games that Kyle hasn't posted a double-double, as opposed to a 1-3 record when she fails to reach that mark.
For the UNC women's basketball program, the frontcourt must come to play. Expect to see a lot of Maria Gakdeng, Ciera Toomey and Blanca Thomas as Courtney Banghart will likely plan on utilizing her abundance of size to throw different looks Kyle's way.
If they have success slowing Kyle down, it would go a long way toward potentially winning this game.
Something to Watch For
It's not often that Alyssa Ustby doesn't make at least one shot from the floor. In fact, it's only happened twice over her four-plus years with the UNC basketball program (and before Sunday, didn't happen since February 7, 2021!).
While she wasn't scoring the basketball, Ustby still contributed at a high level, as she flirted with a double-double (10 assists and eight rebounds).
Seeing how Ustby responds following her latest performance is an interesting storyline to follow in this game. Needless to say, the Tar Heels need their star forward on top of her game.
Projected Starters
No. 1 Alyssa Ustby (Gr. 6'1)
No. 5 Maria Gakdeng (Sr. 6'3)
No. 10 Reniya Kelly (So. 5'7)
No. 20 Lexi Donarski (Gr. 6'0)
No. 24 Indya Nivar (Jr. 5'10)